When you go to your doctor’s office, you may have noticed that you may have seen your doctor but for a short time at the end of your visit. As a matter of fact, a study showed that doctors spend only a few minutes per patient, including post-visit case work outside the examination room.

You may have noticed that when you go to your doctor’s office, to the hospital or a clinic, not only do the healthcare providers ask you for personal health information, such as your medical or family history, but they also record a lot of information about you. Although the physical or electronic medical records maintained by your doctor or hospital belongs to them, the content in these records belongs to YOU. This is why you should know what your rights are to get copies of your records and know what is in them, as well as, who can access your records.

What would you do if you became ill while traveling and have to see doctor who doesn’t know you or go to a hospital you have never been to before? What if you have a medical condition that needs to be considered in case you have an accident or get sick? Should healthcare providers be aware of any medications that you take or of any allergies that you may have? Will you be able to effectively communicate your important medical information should you become ill or injured while traveling?

Having the right information you need at the right time is important to make better decisions for you and your family’s health. This information could be something new that you have learned about a disease, condition, treatment, or how to prevent it. It also includes your personal health information that tells you if you need to make some adjustments to your medical care or lets you know that your health is on track.

To help focus attention on the importance of family history, the Surgeon General, in cooperation with other agencies with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has launched a national public health campaign, called the Surgeon General's Family History Initiative, to encourage all American families to learn more about their family health history.

Recent changes in the law empower you, the consumer. These laws give you greater ownership and control over your healthcare information. For example, Medicare is incentivizing your doctor to convert from keeping your records on paper to storing your records electronically.

Getting old is a personal matter. There is no one way that works for everyone. That’s why Pfizer launched a movement called Get Old which asks two questions: How do you feel about getting old? And, how do you want to Get Old?

Parents who use integrated personal health records (PHRs) are more likely to bring their children to recommended well-child care visits and, possibly, to adhere to recommended immunization schedules, according to a new retrospective study.

Imagine a healthcare system that empowers patients and providers to make more informed clinical decisions to manage chronic health conditions. One in which providers have immediate access to gaps in care for each of their patients and are able to close those care gaps at the point of care. One that achieves the “Triple Aim” of improved outcomes, patient satisfaction and reduced cost by opening lines of communication with the patient’s care team – the provider, the care manager and the health plan.

http://myphr.com/Stories/NewsStory.aspx?Id=625
Children whose parents use a personal health record twice as likely to attend all well-child visits10/11/2013 9:16:39 AMFriday, October 11, 2013, 9:16:39 AM | news-medical.netParents

Young children whose parents used an integrated personal health record were more likely to attend six or more of the nationally recommended well-child care visits by 15 months of age, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in The Journal of Pediatrics.

Not only are patients seeking out better treatments and lifestyles that promote health, they’re actively keeping records of their health. Their expectations are higher than ever when it comes to health information management and sharing, and hospitals and clinics that can meet these patient expectations are those that will see continued growth.

http://myphr.com/Stories/NewsStory.aspx?Id=606
I learned that a PHR saves time, energy, and money. And it saved my life!6/8/2013 11:55:00 AMSaturday, June 08, 2013, 11:55:00 AM | Marilyn RenderParents

Maintaining a personal health record (PHR) is the key to my existence today. My PHR experience started in the early 1970’s. My parents were diligent about keeping comprehensive and up-to-date files and medical records for me, due to a near medical error as a child. I was almost given the wrong medication by the physician in an emergency situation.

Often considered a population “too old” for computer-based communication tools, a recent study found seniors who had undergone cardiac revascularization and used electronic Personal Health Records were more engaged, with improved clinical outcomes.

http://myphr.com/Stories/NewsStory.aspx?Id=613
The Personal Health Record Paradox4/4/2013 1:16:30 PMThursday, April 04, 2013, 1:16:30 PM | Kim M. Nazi. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org)Physicians

Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives and the Information Ecology of Personal Health Record Systems in Organizational and Clinical Settings